Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 5 Feb 1804

Mrs Beaumont under cover to 				Newcastle February 5th 1804

      Col Beaumont Portman Square London

					

D[ea]r Madam

      I have been favoured with your letter of the 30th Ult. enclosing Mr Bells Letter. I had yesterday some Conversation with Mr Thomas respecting the Boxes for the Court Rolls of Hexham Manor:- I have lately got ten Boxes made for your Writings; they are painted and numbered, are more safe than those of Wood, & of easy Conveyance: Mr Thomas as well as Mr Bell prefers them to those of Wood; I have given Directions for some according to the Dimensions Mr Bell has given they will be sent to Hexham in a few Days with your Writings in a Cart provided by Mr Thomas: In case of a landing of the Enemy, the Carts will be all put in requisition, I therefore thought it advisable not to wait till that Event, but to send them to Hexham, and in case of Alarm Mr Bell can forward them to Allenheads.

      The London Houses have an Answer that they are not at present in want of Lead, but from the late exports I know to the Contrary, & that they must soon come to the market, the only large Stock being in your Hands: I enclose you a State of Messrs Doubleday & Easterby’s private Account: I have no Doubt of your Safety in furnishing the Lead for the Works of Easterby Hall & Co; it will take off a Quantity of Com[mo]n Lead which is not in so much Demand as Refined & enabling them to carry on their Works for the Benefit of their Creditors, under the Inspection & Direction of the Committee, but unless they have the Lead at the same Price as Messrs Walkers & Co Viz £30. – it will not answer the Purpose of keeping up the Competition with the other House. – The Lead Pay will be the Middle of May & when I can form a Judgement of the Amount you shall be informed.

	Please to inform Mr Andrews, that Mr J Bell of Hexham is Agent for the Newcastle Fire Office of which I am a Proprietor; I don’t know who to recommend as Agent for the Globe Fire Office, probably the Landlord of the Globe Public House may answer the Purpose.

	I am etc. J.E.B.